This Physical Therapy display is one of many examples of the interactive component that the eighth graders put on display. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
SOUTHWICK – The 8th graders at Southwick Regional School were able to put their academic talents on display at the school cafeteria on Thursday morning with their annual career fair.
Eighth grade English teachers Elena Gasparri and Megan Whalen have been working with the students for several weeks leading up to the fair.
After picking a career that they are interested in, the students had to write a research paper going into detail about the career. They then had to create the interactive component of the project that included a display of what their profession entails, which was on display at the career fair.
The two teachers also mentioned that the students were required to do a mock interview with any adult in the building, so they could get a great perspective on what interviews may look like in their future.
Gasparri gave the students a tip as to what they should wear to the career fair, in order to look professional.
“I said, “dress for the job, or dress for the interview,”” said Gasparri.
Whalen said that in recent years, she saw a lot of similar professions from the students, but this year, the variety of careers were certainly put on display.
“They seem to pick unique jobs,” said Whalen. “They really focused on a more specific job.”
Dominic Allaire wants to be a UFC fighter as he poses in his fighting stance. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
One of those unique jobs included Jacob Drenen, who wants to be a robotics engineer. Drenen could have been seen with his controller as he was moving his dinosaur-like robot around his display area.
Electricians were also represented as Ksenia Zinchenko had all of the basic tools an electrician needs on her cardboard display.
With her brother currently being an electrician, Zinchenko has the background knowledge for her future career.
“I know that I can go to a school and learn,” said Zinchenko. “There’s a lot of jobs available right now.”
Zinchenko even talked about a compelling statistic from Job Outlook that stated there is expected to be a 14% increase for electrician jobs from 2014 to 2024.
Matt Wood is extremely interested in geology and discussed the importance of conducting field studies for that particular profession.
“I’ve been fascinated with rocks and the earth my whole life,” said Wood.
Wood is also happy that he had an opportunity with the career fair.
“It helps me plan and figure out what I would have to do (for the future),” said Wood.
Rylin Mcgivney is very interested in being an anesthesiologist as she likes the fact that you can help others.
“Being able to save someone’s life, you get to have that opportunity,” said Mcgivney.
The careers from the eighth graders also included the octagon, as Dominic Allaire wants to be a UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fighter.
Being in the ring on that kind of stage is something that really peaks’ Allaire’s interest.
“That adrenaline rush is really exciting,” said Allaire.
Allaire says he goes to the local Y in the area and is in a sparring program. He also has gym equipment in his basement at home to help him.
Picking such an exciting career, Allaire saw a benefit from the career as he was able to learn so much about the profession.
“”It helped me do a lot of research about the career,” said Allaire.
Several staff members and faculty were present for the fair, including many parents who were checking out their child’s projects.
